Pointers

What

• A pointers is a variable whose value is the address of some other object.
• A pointer data type can be created for any data type. This includes a pointer data.

Why use Pointers

• It is easier to manage data structures with pointers.
• Passing around pointers is usually faster than copying data.

Defining Pointers

• Syntax:

      type * name;
  

• Examples:

      char * ptr;             /* Pointer to char */
      long * * ptr;           /* Same as long ** ptr; */
      int * * * * * ptr;      /* Ptr to ptr to ptr to ptr to ptr to int */
  

• Multiple definitions in the same statement:

      char * string, ch;      /* the '*' doesn't carry. ch is not a pointer */
      int * ptr, ** pptr, tr; /* Defines a ptr, a ptr to a ptr, and an int */
  

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